DELV Design expands in Indy with IEDC grant support

DELV Design, an architecture, interior design and visioning firm, has announced plans to expand its operations in Indianapolis, creating up to 25 new high-wage jobs by 2021.

“With their growth, startup firms like DELV Design aren’t just shaping environments for their clients, they’re leading the way for innovators and entrepreneurs across Indiana,” said Elaine Bedel, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “Since its launch here in Indiana in 2014, DELV Design has showed what’s possible when Hoosiers have a great idea in a supportive, affordable business climate. We’re excited that DELV Design chose our state for this continued growth, and we look forward to more great news as we work to establish Indiana as a national hub for innovation.”

The homegrown Hoosier company will double its footprint in the Stutz Business Center in downtown Indianapolis. Adding an additional 1,200 sq. ft., the company’s expanded office will allow DELV to grow its team to support new client acquisition. Updates to the company’s office are expected to begin in early spring, which in addition to providing more space will create a zoned layout with focus spaces, meeting spaces, an expanded design library and idea generation-spaces for clients, IEDC said in a news release.

DELV Design currently serves 55 clients across the nation, and has completed more than 100 design projects since the company’s founding two years ago. To support these projects, the company is currently hiring graduate architects, with plans to hire additional mid-level architects, project managers and interior designers. These positions are expected to pay on average more than 50 percent above the state average wage. Interested applicants may apply online or by emailing a cover letter and resume to Amanda Welu at amanda@DELVdesign.com.

“DELV works with vision-driven organizations on the brink of change and innovation; Indiana is becoming a hotbed for these organizations across all types of industries” said Jeremy Welu, architect and partner with DELV Design. “We’re continually inspired by the active local art and design scenes and this overlays powerfully with growing entrepreneurial spirit, right here in Indiana.”

In 2015, DELV Design won the top prize at the Charrette Venture Group’s Architecture Business Plan Competition, one of the architecture industry’s top business plans competition, where it beat more than 100 other companies from 29 states and three Canadian provinces. In 2016, DELV’s gross revenue grew 81 percent from 2015, and in 2017 the company is its projecting gross revenue to double from 2016.

The IEDC offered DELV Design Studio LLC up to $240,000 in conditional tax credits and $40,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Indianapolis supports the project in partnership with Develop Indy, a business unit of the Indy Chamber.

“The built environment of Indianapolis has never been more diverse,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Quality of place is an essential commodity to attract talented individuals to Indianapolis, and companies like DELV Design are shaping our neighborhoods and commercial districts with high-design, high functionality spaces. The Stutz Business Center has been an incubator for the entrepreneurial spirit, and we’re excited to see DELV Design expanding there.”